AN: I do not own Naruto at all. Like srsly.

Silence.

When he awoke from his slumber that was what welcomed him.

Silence.

Naruto, 16 and orphaned since birth, woke with squinted eyes and reached for the phone on his bedside table. Looking at the time he saw that it was 6:45 AM. , the same as every day he's woken up for school.

Slowly he removes himself from the comforters and pillows and begins his morning routine, the same as every day. With a slow stride he leaves his apartment and begins his walk to the local high school. Every day the usual things occurred. Naruto would go to school, try not to be noticed, and then come right back home. For some reason, the day felt different for him, even though he did everything the way it was supposed to be.

Strange.

Walking into the school with his head down and slightly faster gait, he noticed a strange buzzing in the air. The students were whispering about a new student arriving today. Naruto didn't really care. He had no friends and wouldn't have it any other way. It made his life simpler. No people to worry about and no people for him to worry about.

Finally arriving to his classroom, he walks up towards his seat, in the very back, the same as every day. Pulling out his headphones and putting them on, he listens to music as the students after him slowly trickle in to class. The class is any usual class of a typical high school. The guys were perverts and the girls worried too much about their looks. Nobody in particular stood out except for Satsuki. Satsuki and Naruto used to be friends, but that ship sailed a long time ago when Satsuki became too popular and decided that Naruto wasn't worth her time. Naruto was okay with that, really he was. Maybe he liked her just a little bit, but that's as far as Naruto would admit. The sound of Iruka's booming voice brought Naruto out of his stupor.

"Alright class! Today we have a new student that just transferred to Konoha High. Please welcome her warmly and make her feel comfortable." Iruka announced. "Please come inside and introduce yourself."

A platinum blond haired girl walked in and had the attention of all of the guys in the room. Taking a deep breath and calming her nerves she began speaking.

"Hello, my name is Ino Yamanaka and I hope that all of us can be friends." she ended with a smile.

"Alright Miss Yamanaka, seeing as we only have one seat available, would you please go sit by Naruto, the boy with the bright blond hair." Iruka explained.

This was not supposed to happen. Naruto did not need someone next to him, and especially not the new girl. He was fine with being alone. This situation, as Shikamaru would often say, was troublesome. He was hoping he could just ignore the girl for the rest of the year, but unfortunately that was not to be. The first thing she said when she sat down was-

"Hi, I'm Ino. Would you like to be friends?"

Naruto stared blankly at her. He didn't know what words to say. All he could muster was a small

"Sure, I guess."

Today was not the same as every day.